We could make our season incredible

Tait: We’re all fighting for a start

Post-split fixtures announced

Vacancy: Academy goalkeeping coach

Highlights as Under 20s win derby

Craigan: We can do better

First team

Four pen new ‘Well deals

Friday 13 April 2018

Motherwell Football Club are today delighted to announce four first team players have extended their contracts.

Defenders Cédric Kipré, Charles Dunne and Richard Tait have all committed themselves to Fir Park until the summer of 2020, whilst Ryan Bowman has added another year to his current deal, which now expires in 2019.

Kipré, who has been attracting significant interest, has been a revelation since his summer move from Leicester City.

The former PSG youngster has earned rave reviews, having played more domestic minutes than any player in Scotland, and won his first call up to the Ivory Coast national squad last month.

Dunne joined from Oldham Athletic last June, having played under ‘Well boss Stephen Robinson at the Latics.

The pacy 25-year old, who previously earned a big-money move to the English Championship whilst at Wycombe, has developed into one of Motherwell’s most important players in the heart of the defence.

Tait has been a model professional and Mr Consistency since arriving from Grimsby Town in the summer of 2016.

The full back has been asked to perform in a number of different positions over the last 22 months and combines his stubborn defensive duties with an impressive 13 assists, a stat that has put him in contention for a potential Scotland call up.

Ryan Bowman was bought from Gateshead on the last day of the 2016 summer transfer window, having notched 38 goals in two seasons for the Tynesiders.

He has since netted nine times in 36 starts in claret and amber, with his work rate, aggression and desire proving the perfect foil for Louis Moult previously and Curtis Main now.

“I am delighted to have signed up four of the lads who have been mainstays in the team this season,” ‘Well boss Stephen Robinson said. “They have been outstanding for me.

“We do not want to be in a similar situation as we experienced recently where we had to completely rebuild a squad, introducing more than 20 players across two windows.

“This will allow us to be more specific in terms of our recruitment whilst continuing to assess those still at the club whose contract expire this summer.”

Club

Get your semi final tickets

Friday 13 April 2018

Tickets for Motherwell’s William Hill Scottish Cup semi final with Aberdeen are now on general sale.

The ticket office is open from 9am to 10:30am on the day of the match. The game at Hampden Park will be played on Saturday, April 14. Kick off is at 12.15pm.

Ticket information for the match is as follows:

William Hill South Stand and North Stand

£30 Adult / £15 Concessions

East Stand

£20 Adult / £10 Concessions

Concessions are regarded as those aged under 16 and those aged 65 and over.

Getting to Hampden

Our bars at Fir Park will be open from 9.30am on the day of the game and are fully licensed to sell alcohol from this time. Buses will leave at 10:45am.

Information to Supporters

Motherwell supporters should use trains to Kings Park

Supporters travelling by car should use the same route and utilise on street parking at the east end of the stadium

On street parking is controlled by an Event Day Parking traffic regulation order. Parking restrictions are indicated by way of road markings and road signs. On street parking should only be utilised out with restricted areas as a tow-away scheme is in operation for illegally parked vehicles.

As a result of the Event Day parking restrictions, there is limited parking available in the vicinity of the stadium. Supporters are encouraged to travel via public transport where possible.

There will be a zero tolerance approach to alcohol on buses with increased checking by police

Unacceptable Conduct at Hampden Park

The Scottish FA will not tolerate Unacceptable Conduct at a match at Scotland’s National Stadium, Hampden Park or at away stadia hosting matches of the Scottish FA. The following information provides notice of what amounts to Unacceptable Conduct and the sanctions which the Scottish FA may seek to impose upon those individuals who commit Unacceptable Conduct.

This statement of Unacceptable Conduct should at all times be read in conjunction with the terms of the Ground Regulations.

Unacceptable Conduct takes place where a person present at or in the immediate environs of a match engages in violent conduct and/or disorderly conduct. A person will also commit Unacceptable Conduct if at or in the immediate environs of a match, they assist another or others engaged in violent conduct and/or disorderly conduct.

Violent conduct means conduct where there is: (i) actual, attempted or threatened physical violence against a person or persons; or (ii) intentional damage to property.

Disorderly conduct means: (i) conduct which stirs up or sustains, or is likely or designed to stir up or sustain, hatred or ill will against or towards a group of persons based on their membership or presumed membership of a group defined by reference to a category or against an individual who is or is presumed to be, by the person or persons engaged in the conduct, to be a member of such group; (ii) using threatening, abusive, or insulting words or conduct; (iii) displaying any writing or other thing which is threatening, abusive or insulting; or (iv) using words or conduct or displaying any writing or other thing which indicates support for, or affiliation to, or celebration of, or opposition to an organisation or group proscribed in terms of the Terrorism Act 2000 and any successive or replacement legislation thereto.

Any person committing Unacceptable Conduct and/or any person who assists another or others to commit unacceptable conduct may be subject to any or a combination of the following:

refusal of entry to the stadium

removal from the stadium

suspension from attending matches of the Scottish FA

indefinite ban from attending matches of the Scottish FA

be the subject of a report to Police Scotland and/or any prosecuting authorities which may result in possible criminal proceedings

Please note that all banners will be subject to scrutiny at the turnstiles.

First team

Carl McHugh wins Goal of the Round

Thursday 12 April 2018

Carl McHugh has been rewarded for his sensational strike against Hearts with the William Hill Scottish Cup Goal of the Round trophy.

The captain’s winner in the quarter final was picked out as the best of the last eight, and for obvious reasons.

First team

Main eyes Hampden glory

Thursday 12 April 2018

Curtis Main is determined to make Saturday’s trip to Hampden a memorable one for Motherwell Football Club.

The striker, who scored the opening goal in the Steelmen’s quarter final win over Hearts, is hopeful of more than just one trip to the national stadium after arriving in January.

Speaking to the broadcast press, the Englishman said: “I obviously knew that we would be involved in the Scottish Cup before I came up here, but that wasn’t my main focus, it was about playing football for me.

“We’ve played well in the competition though and find ourselves in this position, so everybody is looking forward to it now.”

He added: “The semi final of any cup is a big deal. Hopefully we can make it to the final and make it even bigger.”

First team

We could make our season incredible

Thursday 12 April 2018

Victory in Saturday’s semi final could be the start of transforming Motherwell’s good season in to an incredible one, according to Stephen Robinson.

The ‘Well boss is relishing a third trip to Hampden in the clubs second last four cup clash of the season.

But with Aberdeen standing in the way of a second final in six months, the Northern Irishman knows that his side face a difficult challenge.

“It would be a massive achievement for us if we were able to overcome Aberdeen and reach another final,” he said.

“We’re well aware it’s going to be a tough game. Aberdeen will be thinking the same as us, but it gives us massive incentive.”

He added: “As I’ve said numerous times, my objective was to stay in the league and everything else is a massive bonus.

“We’ve been lucky enough that we’ve had one cup run that we were unfortunate in the final, now we have given ourselves another massive opportunity to reach a final.

“So what has been a relatively good season could turn out to be an incredible season. We have an opportunity to do that by reaching the final.”

First team

Tait: We’re all fighting for a start

Wednesday 11 April 2018

Richard Tait has been one of the most consistent performers in claret and amber this season.

But the defender believes no one is guaranteed a spot in Stephen Robinson’s starting 11 for the trip to Hampden on Saturday.

With the Scottish Cup semi final on the horizon, the 28-year-old shed some light on the hard work going on around Fir Park.

“Everyones raring to go,” he said. “We came in to train on Tuesday and everyone was firing and fighting for their place in the team.”

Having failed to make it to Hampden Park in over six years, Saturday’s last four clash with Aberdeen comes just five months after November’s Betfred Cup final.

Falling short on that occasion against Celtic has only added fuel to the fire for the Steelmen.

“We’re motivated to go one step further. The last time we were at Hampden will help us this time around.

“We know what is expected of us and we know what we need to do to try and progress to the final.”

“It is easy to get motivated. We know what’s at stake and we know what could happen if we were to get to the final and then possibly go on to win it.

“Your name would be immortalised and the fans would speak your name for the rest of your career and past that.”

First team

Post-split fixtures announced

Wednesday 11 April 2018

Motherwell will play Ross County in the first post-split match in the 2017/18 Ladbrokes Premiership.

The Staggies will be the first opponents for the Steelmen as they look to secure a seventh place finish.

Stephen Robinson’s side will then finish the league season against Hamilton Academical at Fir Park on Saturday, May 12.

No Motherwell fixtures have been chosen for live television broadcast.

MOTHERWELL FIXTURES IN FULL

Saturday, 21 April, 3pm

Ross County v Motherwell

Saturday, 28 April, 3pm

Motherwell v Dundee

Saturday, 5 May, 3pm

Motherwell v St Johnstone

Tuesday, 8 May, 7.45pm

Partick Thistle v Motherwell

Saturday, 12 May, 3pm

Motherwell v Hamilton Academical

Club

Vacancy: Academy goalkeeping coach

Tuesday 10 April 2018

From 2018, Motherwell Football Club’s Youth Academy will be one of eight clubs in the elite top tier of Club Academy Scotland.

At this stage in youth football development, the position of Academy Goalkeeping Coach is an exciting prospect for applicants.

Working on a part-time basis and reporting to Head of Goalkeeping Coach Craig Hinchliffe, the role will revolve around the identification and development of goalkeepers aged 10-18.

Highlights as Under 20s win derby

Craigan: We can do better

Monday 09 April 2018

Stephen Craigan believes his Motherwell Under 20s side have a lot more to offer, despite running out 3-1 winners in the mini Lanarkshire derby.

James Scott’s opener was followed up by a David Turnbull double at New Douglas Park but the hosts will have felt they could have taken something from the game, missing two penalties and having a goal disallowed for offside.

“I didn’t think we played very well, if I am being honest,” said the Under 20s boss. “We played better in our last three games but lost all three games.

“Football has a funny way sometimes that the result isn’t always what the performance is.

“PJ Morrison has won us the game with his saves. He was excellent. Overall we encouraged them too much. I think Hamilton deserved to win the game but it’s nice to see when the game isn’t going your way and you’re not playing well, you somehow manage to win.”

The young Steelmen were cheered on by Barry Maguire, who was in the stands days after making his debut for the first team away to St Johnstone.

“We used Barry as an example. He used to be a risk taker and he would frighten the life out of you sometimes. In the last six months he’s become a basic defender. He kicks it when he has to, he can play when he has to but as a defender he makes better decisions.

“That’s what we are trying to say to the rest of them. Those players have to change things in their game if they want to move forward. “